Mathadi workers threaten to go on strike on Wednesday

By Ankoor Anvekar |Posted 24-May-2014

Union leaders claim that despite writing several letters to the state government and chief minister, their demands have been ignored

Incensed with the government’s disinterest in fulfilling their demands, the mathadis working at agricultural and industrial markets across the state have decided to go on a one-day strike on May 28. In a meeting held at Mathadi Bhavan in Vashi on Friday, headed by the Maharashtra State Mathadi Transport and General Kamgar Union, union leaders have asked workers to not report to work next Wednesday.

Last resort: Union leaders have warned that if the government fails to come up with a solution before Wednesday, around 80,000 mathadis will go on strike. Pic for representation

In the list of demands that the union has presented before the government, they have highlighted the need for better pay structure for cleaning workers at APMCs across the state. The unions are also demanding permanent officers in Mathadi board, and better working conditions in markets.

Union members from across the state were present in the meeting at Vashi, headed by the president Eknath Jadhav. Addressing the workers and members of union at the meeting, Narendra Patil, general secretary of the union said, “Despite mathadis having good relations with party members of NCP and Congress, the government has repeatedly neglected our plight. to Through this strike, we will show the importance of our workers and will force the government notice us.”

The union alleged that despite writing several letters to the chief minister and deputy chief minister of the state, no action has been taken. Patil warned that if the government fails to come up with a solution before next Wednesday, the union would shut all agricultural trade across the state.

The strike of around 80,000 workers is likely to halt work at the APMC market, as many traders are dependent on mathadis for loading and unloading goods.

Workers from agricultural markets of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Aurangabad, Pune, Satara, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kolhapur and Nashik are expected to go on strike. Aside from workers at APMC, union leaders have also urged mathadis working in railways, transport, ports and iron and steel sectors to join the protest.